Spread the love

The photo above is a stock image of a dog.

by Charlotte Smith

Cynophobia is the fear of dogs. Many people exhibit this phobia, but I have never really understood it.

I am an animal lover, and one of my best friends is a canine. That’s why last week, when a dog attacked me, my first response was not fear.

On Tuesday, July 13, I visited a friend and was approached by the most beautiful dog I have ever seen. It was a brown and white pit bull with eyes as blue as a Carolina summer sky. As it came bouncing around the corner, I was fascinated with its beauty.

It galloped towards me with purpose. I smiled at it, looked it in its eyes, and told the pooch how beautiful of an animal I thought it was … at that moment, it looked up at me, curled its lip, growled a little, and then took a bite out of my inner calf.

That’s when I realized I was in trouble. Before it was over, I was on the ground, and the muscle-bound bull, with its large teeth deeply planted, was shaking my ankle furiously. I was able to get the beast off of me and made my way back to the car.

I learned a lot from that encounter and wanted to share some tips with our readers.

Remember etiquette. If no one has told you before, now hear this… you should always call before you pay a visit to a friend or family member.
Survey the area. Look for beware of dog signs in unlikely places. Glance around each direction from where you are and watch for any possible dangers and stray animals.
Make a loud noise before leaving your safe place. When you have to get out of your vehicle in a strange or unfamiliar location, make your car horn beep before getting out and about. This will make others aware of your presence.
If you see a strange dog, do not smile at it. Some animals can see this as a sign of aggression.
Do not look an unfamiliar canine in the eyes. The pack animal may sense a look in the eyes as a threat. Instead, look at it with your peripheral vision.
Use what is around you. If you feel threatened by a dog, place an object in between you and the dog. This action may take the animal’s attention off of you and allow you time to escape.
Stand your ground. Dogs will try to knock you off your feet. Try to place yourself with your back to a wall or something sturdy.
Protect vital parts. If you find yourself on the ground being attacked, use your force to protect your vital parts. A strong hit or kick to the dog’s head may be enough for the dog to release its grip and rethink its actions.
Don’t yell and scream, but in the most demanding voice, command the dog to stop. Screaming may escalate the problem, but the dog may listen to you if you show it you are in control.
Do not run. Dogs are fast, so you need to outthink it, not outrun it. Once you see an opportunity to head for safety, sidestep your way to the location, watching the dog from your peripheral vision.

Once I was in the safety of my car, I thought the fight with the dog was the worst of the experience. I was wrong. Bacteria infections and blood clots can happen when a dog wounds someone.

Therefore, the following are some more tips you should keep in mind if an animal wounds you.

Slow the bleeding. Firmly press the wound with a clean cloth.
Clean the wound immediately. You can use soap and water. If the injury is deep, use a syringe with disinfectant to clean the area.
Find out if the dog has had its rabies and other necessary shots. According to the local and state ordinances, the animal should at least have a rabies vaccination.
Seek medical attention. Animals can carry an extensive array of infectious bacteria. You will need an antibiotic and possibly tetanus immunization.
Watch for infection. If you have any cold chills, fever, wound leakage, redness, swelling, or pain that lasts longer than 24 hours, this could mean you have an infection. Contact a medical provider if you experience any of these symptoms.
Be on the lookout for blood clots. It may be rare, but an animal bite wound may lead to blood clots. Symptoms of a blood clot are swelling, pain, tenderness, a warm sensation, and reddish discoloration. Movement may help guard against blood clots. Talk with your healthcare provider about how much you should be walking around.
Rest is critical. After you have been wounded, you increase your healing power when you rest. It may be hard to relax and lay around for a while, but it is imperative to rest and recuperate.

I hope that people will not be fearful of dogs, but these creatures require respect. Our alluring, furry counterparts deserve thoughtful consideration.

May these tips I learned from my experience with a beautiful savage help you or someone you know.